Republican leaders need to face the question asked of Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1954: “Have you left no sense of decency?” They are rallying around a presumptive nominee whom they previously excoriated and who may well be the most unqualified and unprepared serious presidential candidate in the history of the Republic.

Perhaps they should stop for a moment and look into the depth of their heart and soul and ask themselves whether their first obligation is to the Republican Party or to the United States of America. History will judge their answer.

Donald Trump says his tax rate is “none of your business.” In another interview, with The Associated Press, he says of his tax returns, “There’s nothing to learn from them.” As a voter, I disagree. I could learn five things:

1. Since some say that Mr. Trump exaggerates his worth by billions, what if I learn that his true worth does not appear to be what he says?

2. What if a significant part of his income is derived from dubious ventures (e.g., Trump University)?

3. Since he has not produced proper medical records, what if he takes large medical deductions for an undisclosed medical problem?

4. What if his income is so high and his tax rate so low that he essentially shifts the burden of supporting public services onto the backs of the middle class?

5. Some say that Mr. Trump prefers to give in-kind donations (e.g., free rounds of golf) rather than cash to charities. What if the pattern and size of his charitable contributions are laughable?

ROBERT M. KAHN

White Plains

To the Editor:

Is it not ironic that Donald Trump should be attracting support from blue-collar workers who have lost their jobs or whose jobs are under threat as a result of the decisions of freewheeling, profit-oriented businessmen, of whom Donald Trump is such a prime example?

He also knows that he only has to do it a little bit but with a lot of noise and press coverage: a roundup of a few thousand illegal immigrants with a crowd of cheering bigots and the pundits going all out on television, for example.

It’s the symbolism, amplified by the reaction, that he seeks, and he will be lauded. Mission accomplished. Don’t overanalyze this.

JAMES HUBERT

White Plains

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A18 of the New York edition with the headline: Donald Trump, From Different Angles. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

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